Local guardsmen return home

National Guard troops from the 624th Engineereing Company, 1457th Engineering Battalion who departed from Utah last summer for Afganistan returned to Salt Lake late last week.

National Guard troops from the 624th Engineereing Company, 1457th Engineering Battalion who departed from Utah last summer for Afganistan returned to Salt Lake late last week. Those on the plane included a number from the local area. Officials are planning on a parade and celebration in Price in the next few weeks once those that have returned settle in. The unit has approximately 140 soldiers. The 624th is based in Springville, with detachments in Price and Vernal. Its mission in Afghanistan was to perform vertical construction (structures and buildings) in the U.S. Central Command area of operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During their absense 27 babies (25 single births and two sets of twins) were born to wives of 624th Soldiers. These 25 Soldiers (15 of whom are first-time fathers) saw their infant children for the first time on Thursday.